Photo by Nikhita S on Unsplash
As an Indo-Caribbean person with both Guyanese and Surinamese heritage, it’s been really interesting to contrast and compare the two different (South-)Asian diasporas. Although my insights have always been limited and based on personal experience rather than cold, hard data… I’ve still noticed that there’s a loss of language.
Read MorePhoto by Priscilla Du Preez from Unsplash
If there’s something I struggle with it’s unlearning people-pleasing behavior. It’s so prevalent in the Indo-Caribbean (Surinamese-Hindustani) culture I’m from. But I also grew up in Dutch society, which has more direct and down-to-earth attitudes. This means I have a bicultural upbringing, and that there’s already a tension in different norms and values. This tension runs deep, because culture influences our behavior, the way we see the world, and what we think and feel.
Read MorePhoto by Egor Lyfar from Unsplash
The holidays are coming. Cue that Coca Cola Christmas soundtrack. Tis the season. Watch out. Look around. Something’s coming. Coming to town. Is it me? Did I watch too many horror movies, or does that seem sinister? You truly can’t escape Christmas. It’s everywhere. On the radio. On TV. In the shops and supermarkets. But it’s probably me.
Anyway, it’s February, so we’re long past Christmas, but that means I’ve had enough time to reflect on how I spent that time last year. I’m not Christian. As far as religion goes, I grew up in a Hindu household, and I consider myself Hindu. We also celebrate Christmas. My parents even celebrated the holiday in Suriname. The influence of Christianity and colonialism.
Christmas is not celebrated in a religious capacity by us, of course. Instead, it’s about spending time together. Eating and drinking together. Exchanging gifts. Dooh dooh dooh... Always Coca Cola. You know, commercialization, and forced social interactions. Who doesn’t love those?! I swear I’m not bitter. I love receiving gifts, especially books.
Read More
